Stories: Allison Matheson, CPA

Allison Matheson, CPA, is the Senior Manager over Internal Audit and Financial Controls at Ancestry. She obtained her Master of Accounting from the University of Utah in 2014 and started her career with EY. She continued her career in public accounting with Tanner LLC until she joined Ancestry in 2018.

What led you to become a CPA? I was first introduced to accounting by my professor, mentor, and friend, Marci Butterfield. I attended Marci’s undergraduate accounting class as part of my required course of study. However, I quickly found that I enjoyed the curriculum. With some prompting from Marci, I became involved in Beta Alpha Psi which led to me being interested in public accounting. Marci’s mentorship was invaluable, and she inspired me to pursue a CPA license. 

What do you like to do outside of work? I love running and getting outdoors as much as I can. I also enjoy home organization projects and decorating my house for the holidays.

What are some of your goals both personally and professionally? My biggest goal personally is to be the best mother I can be and to give my children every opportunity I can. I worked closely with my employer to develop a flexible work arrangement in pursuit of the ever-elusive work/life balance. Our arrangement has been instrumental in allowing me to pursue a meaningful career while raising my children. Professionally, I seek to expand my knowledge and experience with the technical IT side of audit. My background focused primarily on business processes, and a greater understanding of the important IT components is critical to success in this field today.

What advice would you give accounting students? Develop strong soft skills in addition to technical skills. These skills are valuable in any profession, but particularly in client-focused accounting. Also, find a hobby that will help you maintain your physical and mental health and set you up for a sustainable career.

What advice would you give women going into the accounting profession? Look for female mentors and role models in the accounting profession. They can provide guidance, share their experiences, and offer valuable insights.

Also, believe in yourself and your abilities. Confidence is key. Trust that you have the skills and knowledge to succeed. Don't be afraid to advocate for your own career advancement. Speak up in meetings, express your ideas, and pursue leadership roles when you feel ready. Your contributions are valuable.

How do you balance working and two young children? Balancing career and parenting is challenging but achievable with planning and support. The following strategies are helpful to finding that balance:

● Set Priorities: Identify your top work and family priorities for better decision-making.

● Flexible Work: Explore flexible work options with your employer.

● Childcare Support: While finding reliable and affordable childcare can be daunting, if you can secure even a couple hours of help a week, that can make a big difference in your work contributions. Use that time to zero-in on pressing tasks that need your undivided attention or that have been weighing on you so that you can leave the more routine work responsibilities for when your little ones are by your side.

● Shared Responsibilities: Coordinate with your spouse in parenting and household duties.

● Self-Care: Prioritize self-care through exercise, hobbies, and social time.

●Delegate and Outsource: Assign tasks and outsource when possible.

● Time Management: Efficiently manage work and home tasks using techniques like time blocking.

The right balance of work and family is unique to your family and changes over time. I regularly assess and adapt my approach to meet the current demands of the cyclical nature of audit at work and varying needs of my young children.